Vivian Elizabeth Atkinson (Graham) nee Hunt
October 12, 1925 - February 1, 2018
In the early hours of the morning, after a brief illness, while hospitalized, Vivian slipped away from us, in her sleep. Pre-deceased by her father, Laurence (1960), her first husband, Ronald James Atkinson (1986), brother-in-law, Doug Ryan (1989), her mother, Elsie (1996), second husband, Harry Graham (2006), brother-in-law, David Maskery (2011), and by her sister, Carolyn Oyston, in 2013.
She leaves her siblings: Marian (Bill) McKnight, Rhea (Allan) Ryan-Querney, Peter (Kirsti) Hunt, of Sudbury, Roger Oyston of Mission BC, Dianne (Sonny) Somers, of Huntsville, Janet Maskery of Collingwood; and eighteen nieces and nephews and their children.
Her children: James (Kristine Ball), Laura (Ulrich Wendt), Richard (Mary Lang), Kerrie (Peter Lang), Douglas (Jane Petroni), and Hanali (Leo Campeau).
Grandchildren: Tag (Gwyn), Gabriel (Susie), Morgan (Jason), Tyler (Meghan), Orion (Laura), Carrie Anne (Mike), Ryan (Carolina), Adam (Jen), and Jarrod (Stephanie).
Great-grandchildren: Raven, Austin, Christopher, Natasha, Emily, Tanner, Sebastian, Samuel, Harrison, Zoe, Audrey, Scarlett, and Leonie.
Also, Harry’s children, Don and Joyce, their children and grandchildren.
Vivian was born and grew up in Sudbury Ontario, the oldest child in a large family. She met Ron Atkinson while still in high school; they were engaged when he was overseas with the RCAF, and married in 1945. They lived in Toronto while he completed his education; Jim was born in 1946 and they moved to Sault Ste. Marie in 1947. Ron taught high school for more than thirty years, specializing in Physical Education and Administration. The family grew to include five more children. Vivian was a devoted mother and worked tirelessly to provide a loving and supportive home to her large and active family. Ron and Viv participated in their new community, as members of Central United Church, volunteers at the Family Y, and supporters of many arts and cultural organizations. They spent summers at the cottage near Echo Bay or at their wilderness cabin at Garden Lake and socialized with a wide circle of friends from all walks of life.
Ron retired in 1983 and they began to travel more widely but their favourite trips were always to visit their children and their beloved grandchildren. When Vivian was widowed in 1986 she took up painting in water colours, increased her involvement in church governance, and travelled outside of North America with her children.
Her second marriage to Harry Graham in 1995 brought her new experiences in travel and involvement with local history and environmental groups. She always enjoyed opportunities for learning new things and making new friends.
In 2011 she reluctantly left her house in Sault Ste. Marie and all her good friends from over 60 years in that city. Her new residence was an apartment in the Walford in Sudbury, the city of her birth. There she enjoyed visits from her extended family and met new friends, including Petro Bilynskyj who became the friend and loving companion of her final years.
All of those whom she touched during her long life will remember her fondly. We will miss her forever. According to her wishes, she will be cremated and her ashes buried with Ron in Sault Ste. Marie. The family is planning a memorial event to take place at that time. Gifts in her memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Sudbury Park Lawn Crematorium Services.